Why One Corn Maze in Northern Colorado Isn’t Happening This Year

Colorado has dozens of corn mazes every fall, some haunted; one that has been in operation for over 20 years in Fort Collins won't be entertaining folks in 2026.

Jack Lantern's Corn Maze in Fort Collins Cancels October 2026 Season

On a recent search for "haunted corn mazes," I came across one that I really don't think I knew of: Jack Lantern's Corn Maze. I don't know why I hadn't heard of them, since they've been around for over 20 years, but haunted corn mazes aren't really my thing when it comes to the Halloween season.  Jack Lantern's, about 1/4 mile south of Prospect on Country Road 5, won't be open this season.

When I found Jack Lantern's Facebook page, I found that they'd posted on September 8 that they were going to be closed for their usual October season in 2026:

CLOSED OCTOBER 2026 SEASON DUE TO DROUGHT AND WE DIDN'T RECEIVE OUR WATER SHARES!

You could hear the frustration in their voice, even though it was only text. Colorado saw one of the hottest summers on record, depleting many sources of water, regardless of whether you were supposed to get an allotted amount or not.

READ MORE: 2nd 'Laurel Fest' in Downtown Fort Collins Set for Mid-October

Several people commented on how they were sorry to hear the news about Jack Lantern's not opening, stating it was their favorite corn maze. Normally, Jack Lantern's offers several acres of pumpkins, a pedal car track, farm animals, a covered picnic area, and a 40-acre corn maze; that corn maze is "haunted" at night.